Lancaster City Council is asking for people’s views on how to boost the number of accessible taxis in the district.
It follows complaints from the public about the difficulties of being able to book an accessible taxi.
The complainants state that they struggle to book a wheelchair accessible taxi and they feel that they are being discriminated against.
Currently just 15 of the 108 Hackney taxis licensed in the Lancaster district are wheelchair accessible.
One potential way of solving the problem would be to remove the limit on the number of Hackney taxi licences that can be issued. Any new licences would require vehicles to be wheelchair accessible.
The consultation, however, is asking for further views to allow the council to consider any other ways of ensuring accessibility for all.
Councillor Margaret Pattison, chairman of the council’s licensing regulatory committee, said: “From the complaints we’ve had from wheelchair users there is quite clearly a problem with accessibility when it comes to taxis. For many wheelchair users a taxi is the only option for them to get to hospital appointments on time, see friends and visit the shops. It’s an issue we need to look into carefully to address the problem.”
• All responses should be submitted in writing by no later than the close of business on Friday 27th November. You can respond by email to licensing@lancaster.gov.uk or by writing to: Licensing, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ